USS Gridley (DD-92)

The first USS "Gridley" (DD-92) was a "Wickes"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was named in honor of Charles Vernon Gridley.

History

"Gridley" was launched by the Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California, 4 July 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Francis P. Thomas, daughter of Captain Gridley, and commissioned 8 March 1919, Comdr. Frank Jack Fletcher in command.

After fitting out at the Mare Island Navy Yard, "Gridley" departed San Diego 24 March 1919, transited the Panama Canal, and joined the Destroyer Force for maneuvers in Cuban waters. She then repaired briefly at Norfolk, Virginia, before putting into New York 26 April 1919. "Gridley's" first assignment was with a group of destroyers posted along the route of the Navy's transatlantic seaplane flight. "Gridley" and her companions sent up smoke and flare signals to guide the intrepid flyers and with the help of the surface ships NC-4 was able to land in the dense fog at the Azores 17 May 1919. Subsequently "Gridley" participated in the search for NC-1, forced down in the fog, and then acted as guard ship on the last leg of NC-4's historic flight, which was completed at Plymouth, England, 31 May 1919.

"Gridley" arrived Brest, France, 31 May and spent the next 2 months in various ports of the Mediterranean transporting passengers and making goodwill visits. She arrived bark at New York 31 July. Operating out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, "Gridley" embarked Major General Lejeune and Brigadier General Butler of the Marine Corps at Charleston 2 September 1920, for an inspection tour of Caribbean bases and commands, including posts in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Her distinguished passengers disembarked 27 September 1920.

In the following years "Gridley" was active training officers and men of the Naval Reserve Force, operating out of Charleston, Newport, New York, and Philadelphia. She decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard 22 June 1922 and remained inactive until her name was stricken from the Navy List 25 January 1937. "Gridley’s" hulk was sold for scrapping 19 April 1939.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g8/gridley-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/092.htm NavSource DD-92]